Two Smith County men have been arrested and face more than 30 charges after a random tip sparked a two-month investigation by state game wardens into a series of illegal hunting incidents.

Logan B. Smith, 21, and Aaron T. Mclarey, 21, both of Whitehouse, TX, were arrested by game wardens on charges ranging in severity from Class C misdemeanor to state jail felony. Among the charges include: hunting white-tailed deer at night and hunting white-tailed deer with a light. A rifle alleged to have been used in the crimes has been seized pending the outcome of the cases.

The investigation included several hours of surveillance, multiple interviews, and search warrants. Wardens believe these two individuals were responsible for illegally hunting three deer from a Smith County road at night during deer season on more than one occasion. The pair is also suspected of illegally killing a hog on a Lake Tyler property and dumping the carcass into the lake, in addition to killing a goose by intentionally running it over with a boat.

Smith has been released on bond and Mclarey remains in the Smith County jail on an unrelated charge.

A special thank you to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Whitehouse Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety for assistance with this case.

Please report any illegal hunting activity to your local Game Warden or call the Operation Game Thief hotline 1-800-792-GAME (4263)